Arcadis COO wins major LGBT award to be named UK’s top ‘Corporate Straight Ally’

London, United Kingdom
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Arcadis’ Chief Operating Officer Peter Madden has been named as the UK’s leading Corporate Straight Ally, by the Natwest British LGBT Awards. The awards mark the most prominent event in the LGBT calendar, with Peter’s Recognition Award seeing him join a hall of fame that includes major LGBT personalities such as Sandi Toksvig (Lifetime Achievement Award 2018), Julian Clary (Loud and Proud Award 2018) and HRH Prince William (Celebrity Straight Ally 2017).

The award recognises Peter’s commitment to supporting equality and diversity in the workplace. As a senior leader, Peter is vocal in his support for LGBT issues and is committed to improving visibility and promoting inclusivity at all levels. Using his background in Programme Management to drive Arcadis’ LGBT+ network, under his stewardship membership has more than doubled in just 12 months. The network works both within the business and across the construction sector more broadly to promote a LGBT+ friendly culture, and has had a material impact on the way in which Arcadis approaches LGBT issues. This includes the introduction of policies that explicitly state that Arcadis does not tolerate discrimination or bullying of any kind, with specific reference to sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as the introduction of a Transitioning at Work policy.

Peter is also a Stonewall Diversity Champion and led a stream of initiatives that has allowed Arcadis to jump 159 places in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. He is an active participant in London Pride, with whom Arcadis partners, and has been asked to advise LGBT+ sponsers in other organisations, including Network Rail and Highways England, on the way in which Arcadis established its own network. Future plans for Peter include setting up a formal “Allies” programme at Arcadis, along with unconscious bias training for all hiring managers.

Commenting on why the LGBT+ agenda is so important to him, Peter said:

“I have witnessed first-hand the emotional turmoil that people go through to be true to themselves and, regardless of their personal lives, I want people to feel able to be themselves at work and express themselves in the way they choose, without fear. Being in a leadership position, I am fortunate enough to have the power and influence to make a real difference, and it’s important that I use this to benefit others. I’m extremely proud to be creating such an open and progressive culture at Arcadis, and I’m committed to continuing to lobby for the LGBT+ agenda both at Board meetings and in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion groups. We need to challenge perceptions right across the construction industry, and the more that leaders such as myself speak out, the closer we get to creating an inclusive environment for all.”